Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

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Introduction to Waste (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Revision Note

Sources & Types of Waste

  • The use of natural resources generates waste

    • This waste can be classified by source or type

Sources of waste

  • Domestic waste:

    • Waste generated from households, including food scraps, packaging and broken items

  • Industrial waste:

    • Produced by factories and industries, such as chemicals, metals and manufacturing by-products

  • Agricultural waste:

    • Created by farming activities, including animal manure, crop residues and empty containers from chemicals like pesticides and herbicides

Types of waste

  • E-waste:

    • Electronic waste, such as old computers, mobile phones and televisions

    • E-waste contains toxic materials like lead and mercury

  • Food waste:

    • Edible food that is discarded, often due to over-purchasing or spoilage

  • Biohazardous waste:

    • Dangerous waste from hospitals or laboratories, such as medical equipment, needles and blood products (e.g. blood or plasma samples)

Solid Domestic Waste

  • Solid domestic waste (SDW) refers to the non-liquid waste produced in homes

    • SDW typically includes a wide variety of materials, making it a challenge to manage and recycle

Pie chart illustrating household waste composition: garden waste 25%, kitchen waste 21%, other household items 11%, glass 9%, wood, furniture, and e-waste each 6%, soil, textiles, plastic 4%, disposable nappies 3%, paper 1%.
Estimate of the proportions of solid domestic waste in the UK in 2020

Common components of solid domestic waste

  • Paper: newspapers, magazines and packaging materials

  • Cardboard: packaging boxes and containers

  • Glass: bottles and jars

  • Metal: aluminium cans and tin containers

  • Plastics: bottles, food containers and plastic bags

  • Organic waste: food scraps, garden clippings and other biodegradable materials

  • Packaging: items such as plastic wrap, Styrofoam and boxes

  • Construction debris: waste from home repairs or renovations, such as bricks and wood

  • Clothing: old or unwanted clothes and textiles

World map showing global solid domestic waste data per person per day for 2014. Countries are color-coded from light to dark blue, with a legend at the bottom.
Average daily per capita solid domestic waste generation for different countries in 2014

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Don't confuse SDW with other types of waste: solid domestic waste is just one category. Be clear when discussing SDW versus industrial or agricultural waste.

Volume & Composition of Waste

  • The volume and composition of waste vary across time and between societies

    • Numerous factors play a role in this

Factors influencing waste volume and composition

Socio-economic factors

  • Wealthier societies often generate more waste

    • This is due to:

      • Higher consumption levels

      • Single-use products

      • Excessive packaging

      • Culture of convenience

      • Fast fashion

    • For example, high-income countries like the United States generate more waste per person compared to lower-income countries like India

  • Lower-income countries may produce less waste

    • However, they often have less capacity to manage it properly

Political factors

  • Government policies can impact waste production, such as:

    • Recycling laws

    • Waste taxes

    • Bans on certain materials

    • Landfill regulations

  • Countries with strong waste management policies tend to have lower levels of unmanaged waste

    • For example, the European Union's ban on single-use plastics has reduced plastic waste in member countries

Environmental Factors

  • Environmental awareness can lead to reduced waste, such as more recycling or composting programmes

  • Geographical location:

    • Popular tourist destinations experience high amounts of waste production during peak seasons

  • Large amounts of crop waste follow harvest seasons in the agricultural sector

  • Natural disasters can also increase the amount of waste generated

    • For example, after powerful hurricanes, large volumes of construction and debris waste can be generated during rebuilding efforts

Technological Factors

  • Advancements in technology can reduce waste, such as:

    • Creating biodegradable plastics

    • More efficient recycling methods

  • However, the rapid pace of technological advancements causes large amounts of electronic waste

    • This is because consumers want to regularly update their devices to newer versions with better features

    • Renewable energy sources can also produce large amounts of electronic waste, e.g. old or damaged solar panels and wind turbine blades

  • New products can also increase waste if they are designed for short-term use (e.g. disposable electronics such as e-cigarettes or vapes)

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

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After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.